Graziani + Corazza Architects Inc.

Designing the future┬áAndrew Pelis learns how Graziani + Corazza Architects is leaving its mark on TorontoÔÇÖs skyline by designing for the 21st century with modern innovation. The Toronto skyline is currently undergoing a transformation. Thanks to firms like Graziani + Corazza Architects, the future looks aesthetically pleasing, decidedly high-tech and environmentally enhanced for Toronto and beyond.ÔÇ£We will be changing the Toronto skyline with our 75-story building,ÔÇØ states Enzo Corazza, a principal of the Mississauga, OntarioÔÇôbased company founded in 1997. ÔÇ£Additionally, we have two signature buildings on Bay Street [in the cityÔÇÖs financial district]: a 45-story building and a 51-story building that are complete and have received a number of accolades. The new signature building we have designed completes that portion of the block in Toronto. WeÔÇÖre also involved in a very high-profile site in the Bloor-Yonge corridor, designing a 44-story tower.ÔÇØSince Corazza and fellow principals Domenic Biase and Barry Graziani decided to pool their collective knowledge of architecture, and with the addition of associates Paul Icke, Jerry Chong, Johnny Chimienti and Carmine Teti, the company has developed a reputation for high-quality design work with sound economic plans.Indeed, in 10 short years the company has been involved in over 60 projects in the Toronto area but has also spread its reputation. ÔÇ£Our firm began as three people who were determined to provide design excellence combined with good client relationships,ÔÇØ says Corazza, ÔÇ£and we have now grown to a team of 50, including a recently launched interior design division.ÔÇØThe six-building phased community on TorontoÔÇÖs Waterfront has been 10 years in the making, and the final phase has been launched this month. The companyÔÇÖs reputation was not unknown to the client, Monarch, and this is typical of the way Graziani + Corazza has built its business in such a short space of time, as Corazza explains. ÔÇ£We understand that a successful project has to sell, and if we have to be flexible on issues, we can be, maintaining design integrity and economic feasibility. Our success is twofold from a design and service standpoint, and our clients have been satisfied with the level of service we provide. All our business is derived through referrals.ÔÇØTotal cost for the Waterfront project, which is set on a 10-acre parcel of land along TorontoÔÇÖs waterfront, is approximately $300 million. This will eventually house 1,500 units contained within six buildings. To date, four buildings have been completed, and the developer is in the process of constructing the fifth. ÔÇ£This is the central project in Humber Bay Shores and has become the catalyst for the remaining developments in the area,ÔÇØ Corazza describes. ÔÇ£Two landmark towers announce the entrance to the community and Humber Bay Shores. ItÔÇÖs a mixed-use development: the base of the buildings contains a retail component that expands out to a large public amenity area described as the ÔÇÿVillage court,ÔÇÖ which will be shared by the entire community. The tallest building on the site at present is 39 stories high.ÔÇØ Construction has enjoyed a renaissance over the last few years across Canada, and Graziani + Corazza decided from the outset to focus on what it knew bestÔÇöthe residential market. ÔÇ£We deal with the private sector for the most part, and approximately 80 percent of our work consists of high-density mixed-use projects; the remainder are commercial/retail and a small portion of institutional. We focused on these types of developments from the outset, as we all came from that same background,ÔÇØ Corazza affirms. While the economy is in a downturn, one of the key issues for the company remains supply chain management and negating the risks of ÔÇ£busy timeÔÇØ and higher costs for suppliers, particularly when dealing with manufacturers. ÔÇ£The issue of supply and demand is always prevalent, and delivery times are crucial. There are a number of buildings going up from Vancouver to Toronto, and only a select few manufacturers are able to produce for these larger buildings.ÔÇØThe company has certainly built relationships with suppliers. When dealing with the private sector, the owner has the final say in who supplies materials. As Corazza explains, the company works closely with those owners and contractors at all stages, making its principals available at all times. ÔÇ£We work hand-in-hand with the developer through to the end of each project. Barry and I are involved in designing and setting up projects with our associates, while Domenic is directly involved with the contract administration process. Therefore, the principals are involved in all stages of the project.ÔÇØ In a demanding, extremely competitive market, how has such a young company made such a mark in such a short space of time? Corazza provides insight: ÔÇ£We treat each project individually. We respond to the specific site and use materials that the industry is familiar with, introducing specialty products when budget allows. Economics do at times dictate what type of materials we use from the contractorsÔÇÖ or clientsÔÇÖ standpoint, but our approach has led to several award-winning projects that have enhanced our reputation.ÔÇ£Additionally, while staffing issues have affected both construction and architectural firms,ÔÇØ he continues, ÔÇ£we have retained a creative and innovative core group of staff and associates who have produced with us, and as a result we have not suffered the same problems. Our staff members take courses to improve skills and stay current, including two staff members who are LEED-qualified.ÔÇØ Having LEED expertise is already paying dividends, and the company is involved as architect of record for another project in the Regent Park area of the city, a large public housing redevelopment. The company is producing the construction documents for these buildings, and the aim is to achieve Gold status. ÔÇ£This is a big trend,ÔÇØ states Corazza. ÔÇ£The industry as a whole is trying to become green. This is the future direction, and each client is setting up innovative ways to come up with solutions beyond LEED, which is very reassuring in these times.ÔÇØHaving invested in technology and staff and worked across Canada, the company plans to set its sights on international projects in the coming years without losing sight of its principles. ÔÇ£Design excellence comes from the influences we take from the sites and the immediate context. We keep current with world issues and use our architectural intuitionÔÇötrying to design for the 21st century with modern innovation,ÔÇØ Corazza concludes.┬á